…due to lack of financial soundness, capability

THE Guyana Gaming Authority said it has found no evidence of Sleepin International Hotel’s financial soundness and capability to operate a casino and it was for these reason it did not grant the company such a license.

In a statement issued via the Ministry of the Presidency, the authority said that it had received and processed an application made in the name of Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc. of Lot 252 South Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana, South America, dated August 2, 2016 for the granting of a Casino Operator’s License and a Casino Premises License.

“The Authority wishes to state that having received and thoroughly considered the application it unanimously found no evidence upon which it could arrive at a determination that Sleepin International Hotel & Casino Inc. qualifies for the issuance of the licenses applied for, having regard to its failure to provide the Authority with documents evidencing its financial soundness and capability, one of the critical criteria for the granting of such licenses.”

The Authority said it has cited this deficiency as a grave defect in the applications, which necessitates a refusal of the applications for a Casino Operator’s License and a Casino Premises License, since the regulations Section 29 (a) (1) (c) speak clearly and specifically to “the financial soundness and financial capability of the applicant.”

The Sleepin International Hotel & Casino Inc. has been notified accordingly. The hotel is reported in another section of the media saying it is currently in the process of accumulating the information required by the authority and will be submitting new applications along with this information in due course.

Earlier this year several religious leaders with their places of worship on Church Street had objected to the hotel being granted a casino license to operate there. The Imam of the Queenstown Masjid, Imam Shaheed Mohammed had told the Guyana Chronicle that they were unaware that the hotel would be operating a casino. The hotel is close to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, while another church lies in Albert Street, two doors away from the hotel. Two churches are located on North Road, opposite the hotel. Mohammed had said too that the area is a residential one, adding that the play-park on Merriman Mall should also be considered since it is visited by families almost daily.

SMV Nasseer of the Queenstown Masjid had also opposed the planned move by the businessman. He said that the matter was one which lies in disregard for the religious organsiations. Nasseer noted that the masjid was one which is frequented by worshippers from all parts of the country, noting that its doors were open late into the nights to facilitate worshippers. He said the news of a casino being set up at the hotel comes as an “insult” to the Islamic community, noting that Islam opposes gambling .He said that the authorities should re-examine the arrangement put in place which granted the businessman license to operate a casino at the location.

Persons in the area noted that the casino would taint the image of the community. One resident noted that while businesses bring benefits to neighbourhoods , a casino was not ideal for Church Street. “The street’s name is Church Street”, she added. Former Chief Magistrate Juman Yassin had penned a letter stating that he could not,” comprehend how a license could be granted for a casino to be opened in this area and more so, how the commission for the licensing of casinos could have granted permission”.

The authority, mandated by laws established back in 2007, is the body which regulates how casinos are run in Guyana and it has powers to determine the content of how applications are made for casinos, fees, and it also has the power to set conditions for the restriction of licenses. Under the Gambling Prevention Act, only three licenses can be issued in Guyana. Currently, the Ramada Georgetown (Princes Hotel) operates a casino and another casino was touted for opening at the Marriot Hotel.